"He did what?"

Sven nodded softly as he walked towards the Fall City base. The Wintown leader, Elita, was beside him in near shock.

"I can't... how..." He fell silent as they neared the base. He paused as he looked at it.

"Yeah... I can't believe it either. But he attacked a fellow ranger. A Top Ranger in fact." She gulped as she turned away.

"Then be careful." He nodded as he stepped in. The base was quiet.

"Hello? Joel? It's me... Sven. I... just want to talk. LK on LK."

The silence was throwing him off. He kept a sharp eye until something hit his ears.

"Yeah... let's talk, Sven."

~~~

Elita frowned as she returned to Fall City. She had just split up a fight over in Ringtown and it wasn't as bad as she thought it would. Lapis was very resistant to fighting and was practically unconscious when she got there. It only took snapping the other two out of whatever they were in to stop it. But Lapis's words echoed in her head.

"If only there was a way... a way to make this all end. How great it would be... freedom from the pain..."

Her eyes drifted over to the Fall City ranger base. It had grown quiet since she last saw it. Was Sven ok? He was, after all, against Joel. She paused before going over. Upon touching the knob, a strong darkness grabbed her. The words 'careful' burned through her head as she opened the door.

"Sven... Joel... are you two in here?" She took maybe two steps before something was behind her. Unfortunately for the thing, she was cleaner than that. She whipped around to the breathing sound and startled the person.

"Whoa!" Joel instantly backed towards the door. She frowned. There's one. Where was Sven?

"Aw... did the great Joel get scared?"

"N-no!" He looked around briefly. "I just didn't think you would turn around so fast..."

"Mhm..." She studied the base leader. Fear wouldn't describe it. Panic would be a better word. "Where's Sven? He told me he was coming to talk to you."

"Sven... oh! He already left."

She scanned him instantly. Joel was a terrible liar. She hadn't heard a pair of wings. So unless Sven took a boat, he was still here.

"Joel, the last time I took your words for granted in a time like this, you lied and told me that nothing had happened to Sage. Another time was with Dijon when he was kidnapped. Come up with a better lie. Because there's things that shoot that statement down."

That got the reaction she wanted. He immediately shifted feet and looked away, discomfort crossing his face.

"O-oh yeah? And what says I'm lying? I watched him leave."

"If he had already left, I should've been able to hear wings from Ringtown." He stopped. Apparently he didn't realize she was so close. "That's right, Joel. I wasn't at my base. I was busy splitting a battle in Ringtown that took almost no time to do. I didn't hear anything." Joel looked away, a guilty look crossed his face.

"So what? He could've left while you were in battle."

"Joel, I have been able to hear Top Rangers with Staraptor or any ranger with Dragonite leave from Summerland while being in Wintown, talking to my rangers with a migrating group of Piloswine racing nearby. Do you want to try that again?"

He had clearly run out of comebacks as he looked at the ground. She paused as she waited for him to think of something. Nothing came out, so she went for it.

"Joel..." He looked up slightly. "Where's Sven?" He took a deep breath before a growl escaped into the air.

"None of your business, Elita. Why don't you-"

"Go back to my base so you can finish what you started?" Joel stopped. "I've already been told that you attacked a Ranger. A Top Ranger at that. And I got it from Sven just before he came in here. So what did you do to him?" Joel blinked twice as he looked around. She had cornered him.

"I... don't know what you're talking about! Why would I hurt another ranger? Especially one that is so powerful?"

"He exposed something that you were hiding. Why don't you start talking?" He finally snapped. A surge of dark aura hit the air as she shuddered.

"This has nothing to do with you, Elita." He growled. "So if I was you, I would leave now."

"Ooh... threatening..." She hummed. "Yeah... I'll leave... and tell the world what you've done." He froze at her words. "And you can't stop me once I leave this base. So either start talking or I walk out to expose you." He backed up, touching the door. Yeah, his base, but she was stronger than him. He finally hummed softly before a soft light came from his hand.

"You wouldn't dare."

"What would you do if I left? You would go back to Sven and finish what you started. Or you would track me down after I tell everyone about your actions. You see, unlike you who has an incredible power but low base, I can go for miles and still win against you." A small flame of confidence surged through her as something touched her hand. "So go ahead. You're either going to stop me and make my base worry, which would mean you would have to get past them and they don't take lies, or you would let me go and suffer what my words say, which means you would have a late revenge. Pick wisely, Joel."

He hissed as the room seemed to paused. Her ears locked on to a faint, muffled sound, no doubt Sven freaking out. Joel finally made a move. He lifted his hand, revealing an orb of light.

"Jinx of the Night!"

She jumped slightly out of the way and appeared next to him. She slammed a clean hit into the back of his neck, forcing him down. The moment he fell she looked around.

"Sven!?" The muffled sound reappeared as she followed it. She found him upstairs, wrapped up in a tight bound and his mouth and eyes tied up. He shuddered as she released him and pulled him into a hug. He huffed as he regained strength.

"Elita..." She hummed as she pulled away, keeping her hands on his shoulders.

"Are you ok?" He nodded as he faded a little.

"Yeah... thanks..." She nodded.

"No problem. Let's get you somewhere you can rest." He nodded as she helped him out. Joel hadn't moved much as they got out. Sven gulped as they made their way to Ringtown.

"How'd you get past him...?" She paused.

"Let's worry about you. I'll tell you later." Sven nodded as he drifted off.

~~~

Lapis was surprisingly the first one to greet them. He was arguably the friendliest due to it. He saw them and immediately made his way over.

"Sven?" The Top Ranger smiled as the VK pulled him into a hug.

"Hey Lapis..." A huge argument followed as the other two came in. Sven tensed up as Lapis called out.

"Ladies, keep the yelling outside. There are people who can't think straight." Scarlet huffed as Spenser looked at him. He saw Sven and slowly went over.

"Did something happen?" Scarlet noticed before going over. She took the taller LK as Lapis gulped. Elita looked at the ground.

"Why don't you guys sit down? You'll need it."

~~~

Sven was trembling as Elita finished. Scarlet gulped.

"J-joel did this?" Elita nodded.

"He also attacked Crepe apparently. From what Sven told me, he was struck down and is right now in bed, trying to fight a curse that Joel threw on him." Lapis rubbed Sven's back, calming the LK down.

"So... what do we do? We can't fight Joel. He's not only an ally, but a very powerful LK. We would never make a mark on him." Scarlet paused.

"How'd you get Sven out?" Sven lifted his head as Elita smiled. She stretched lightly as she pulled her gloves off and rubbed her hands.

"Well... depends how you look at it. Joel can't beat me. I've dealt with him in many ways that I have started mentally marking down what I need to watch out for. He has stopped surprising me." She looked at her hands. "As for this time, I just had to get him to launch at me before getting behind him and knocking him out. It's easy when you are well trained." Spenser frowned.

"Trained? Who trained you to do that?" A sly smile followed his words as she showed the back of her hand.

"You LKs and VKs have had your fun. Now you're being babies and fighting. Time for someone else to take over."

A symbol flashed to life as she finished. They stared at it as she smiled. Lapis was the one that spoke up, not really surprising her.

"A... BK?" She hummed.

"Someone did their homework." His face went red as he looked away. "But yes. BK of Hercules and Megara." Scarlet blinked.

"Why.."

"Hide it? I wasn't. It was just more fun watching you guys do the work and working together like actual humans. It lost its fun when you guys started fighting. Why do you think it was so easy to split you guys up?" Lapis gulped.

"Your blessed father gave you strength to do it." She smiled.

"Oh ho... we have a smarty pants in the back." Lapis's face returned to the red as he looked down. Sven chuckled faintly.

"Your mother's side showing."

"Shut up." The other three laughed at the weak exchange as Scarlet hummed.

"Hiding in plain sight... a lot of us were doing that..." Elita nodded.

"Yep. Some more than others. But at least we have it cleared up." She glanced at Sven. "Will you be able to get back to Almia?" He nodded.

"Yeah... it'll be a little bit of a struggle and a huge strain, but I'll make it back in one piece..." Lapis touched his arm.

"Be careful. We don't want all of our forces to go down." Sven nodded as he stood up.

"Yeah yeah yeah. I get it. Thank you for your concern. I'll reach out when I get back safely..." He nodded to the group as he went out. Scarlet frowned.

"So who wants to shoot him down?" Lapis made a soft noise.

"Not me." Spenser frowned.

"Why not? You're the VK." Lapis scoffed.

"Doesn't mean I'm going to shoot someone down. Because one; I don't plan on getting on Cedar's mother side, and two; I'm not starting another battle in my current state. Why don't you do it since you're the ones that thought of the brilliant idea?" He sighed as he put his head down. Elita hummed at that.

"Alright you three. Split it up."

~~~

Rand chuckled as he watched the fight on The Union. It was poor Rednal against four VKs. Though... the VKs weren't really doing anything to him. The only thing that made it interesting was Bluealle and Parchment's argument that came on.

"OH REALLY!?"

The other three groaned as they stepped away from the females. Cedar sat down and looked at the sky while the other two sat beside him and grabbed their ears. Despite the tension between them, Cedar pulled Rednal close as he growled at the fight.

"Ignore it. Maybe it'll end soon." Rednal hummed as Rand stepped out of his hiding place and went over. The females were at each other's necks as they battled it out. Rand finally separated them.

"You two are the greatest females right now. But can you shut up before you get a very pissed off person on you?" They growled.

"I still have another few rounds with the wicked witch."

"Witch?" Cedar groaned as he put his head down. The two girls collided as Rand went to the other males.

"Wow... I thought I'd seen some fights. Clearly not." Rednal sighed as Midnight fell asleep against Cedar.

"I wish they would be a little more considerate..." Rand paused as he eyed the other males. The two VKs had fallen asleep while Rednal was furiously tapping his foot. Rand sat down beside him and pulled him into a particle hug.

"Rest... it'll pass the time." Rednal paused before drifting off to sleep. Rand smiled before he rested the LK against Cedar and looked at the girls.

"I swear..." He quickly split them up again, gaining a hiss of complaint.

"Hush. The others are asleep." The girls paused before noticing the sleeping trio. Parchment gulped as Bluealle headed below deck. Silence had emerged, which gave Rand a chance to relax. Parchment turned to him.

"How'd you do that?" He followed her gaze and sighed.

"I don't suppose this'll make sense to you..." He moved his sleeve and revealed a symbol that flashed to life. She blinked before pausing.

"A... BK right?" He nodded.

"Yeah..." He covered it as he stared out to the horizon. Parchment purred as she looked at him.

"Who?"

"Erm..." She giggled as he winced. "Shoot... I believe it's Mama Odie and Mother Gothel. I might be wrong." Parchment purred.

"You are adorable when you're lost."

"No one asked you."

"Uh huh..." She pulled out her phone and groaned. "But I don't wanna talk to Dijon." Bluealle hummed.

"Why is he calling? Isn't it normally Crepe?" The group paused as Bluealle shook the boys awake. "Guys, Dijon's calling." Cedar paused.

"But isn't..." He shook it off as they gathered around Parchment. She answered it as Dijon's face appeared.

"What a surprise. Isn't this supposed to be your boyfriend's job?" Dijon huffed as he looked away.

"No one asked you, Parchment. But that's the reason I'm calling. Do you know what's going on?" Bluealle frowned.

"Be more specific." Dijon growled.

"The LK vs VK fights. Or do you guys not experience them?" Rednal raised an eyebrow.

"It's one LK vs 4 VKs. What do you think the answer is?" Cedar huffed.

"It's more of the female argument vs the male stress over here." A hiss came from somewhere on Dijon's line while a groan escaped Lapis's.

"Lucky! How's you get that!?" Rand stretched.

"Hey, you tell the warring duo to knock it off." Bluealle and Parchment tried to intervene when Cedar silenced them.

"Wait..." Midnight paused. "Did someting happen?" Dijon gulped.

"No one knows where Crepe is and Sven came back from Fiore weakened. I notice Lapis has nothing to say." The bluenette stayed silent as he looked at something off screen. "Lapis..." The VK huffed as he ran a hand through his hair.

"Uh..." He paused as he stretched. "Can I just not? I almost just left a fight against the duo LKs here."

"Lapis, Sven left that region. What happened?" Lapis paused as Elita's voice came through.

"Give it." Lapis didn't hesitate to give it to the base leader. "I'll explain it because I'm here separating these guys. Sven came here to discuss something with a base leader and got jumped. I was able to get to him in time... but he was already weakened."

"What base leader?" Cedar quickly asked. She grimaced.

"None of you will believe me." Wendy's voice came from somewhere on Dijon's line.

"Elita, I've already said that! Why do you think Sven went!?" Elita bit her lip as the others chuckled.

"Wendy, you shouldn't have told him."

"He asked for a name. I gave it to him." Dijon frowned.

"Hey, where'd you put my boyfriend? You were the last one to have him."

"Um... Elita! Why don't you answer the question!?" The groups lost it as Elita sighed.

"He went to go talk to Joel." Rednal stopped.

"Wait... Joel attacked him?" Elita nodded.

"As well as another person, right Wendy?"

"Ack! Elita!" The base leader giggled as Dijon turned the screen to the Top Ranger.

"What does that mean?" Wendy gulped before she went over.

"Guys, Crepe found out what was happening and is currently down because of it. You guys in Fiore better be careful because of how close it is. In fact, everyone better be careful. Crepe and Sven have fallen, so everyone better be on their feet." Elita scoffed.

"Let me think about it..." She pushed Scarlet into Spenser, gaining a loud complaint. "Yeah. We copy." Rand nodded.

"Loud and clear. Stay safe." The others nodded as they turned off. Rand gulped.

~~~

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"I didn't want you having a heart attack. Not only that, but he wasn't in a position for visitors! He still isn't, but we'll get past that. Relax."

The two Top Rangers arrived at Crepe's door as Wendy opened it. Crepe was silently resting with a cold washcloth on his head. He let a soft sound out as Dijon touched his hand.

"Joel did this?"

"Yeah... used Crepe's humming to do it. I should've... prevented it..." Dijon glanced at her.

"This isn't your fault. We should've figured it out sooner. I thank you for taking care of him." Wendy smiled as he turned back to the sleeping brunette. A loud sound from somewhere broke the silence as Crepe winced. Wendy paused.

"I'll go check..." Dijon nodded as she quietly closed the door and ran towards the sound. She got upstairs as the other Ks got up.

"What the hell..."

"Oh don't even."

"Who..."

Wendy looked around and noticed Linda hadn't moved. She went over as Linda called out to the confused Ks.

"Why don't you all get back to work instead of fighting for an hour?" The group paused before they went out. Seafoam and Marcus headed off, no doubt to get food. Wendy stared at the scene before she turned to Linda.

"How..." Linda held up her hand and a symbol flashed. Wendy blinked as Linda continued.

"I overheard your conversation with Seafoam and decided that me and the others should start showing." Wendy's eyes flashed.

"A BK?" Linda nodded as her symbol vanished and she returned to what she was doing.

"Our blessed parents told us that there were 8 BKs. Three of us have united. Three others have met in private. Two more to find. We are going to keep peace." Wendy paused as she gripped her hand.

"Linda... me and Crawford have both felt strange auras circling us whenever there's a fight. You don't think..." Linda eyed her.

"Lemme see..." She stood up and took the sky ranger's hands. A soft glow covered them as she murmured a spell. Wendy almost didn't catch it.

"Evocation of Knowledge!"

The light lifted up slightly before slamming into her left forearm. She squeaked a little at the shock that followed. Linda giggled before moving her sleeve.

"Hm... interesting... Dumbo and Te Fiti. Explains your urge to be in the air." Wendy blushed a little before shaking her head.

"So wait..." Linda smiled.

"This states that you are a BK. I would have to do the spell on Crawford to see if he is the same." She smiled as Wendy covered the marking. "I'll have to catch you up, but I want to check Crawford first." Wendy nodded.

"Who are the others...?" Linda hummed.

"Elita and Rand are the more known ones with me. There are three former enemies of us Rangers that are. I believe it's Arley, Tiffany and Heath. Not entirely sure. Then you and possibly Crawford." Wendy paused.

"Wait... but Tiffany has 3 brothers..." Linda hummed.

"BKs don't normally share their blessings with their siblings. I have an older brother and he doesn't have one at all." Wendy hummed.

"Well... I'll tell Crawford to make his way over here." Linda nodded as she sat down. The other two operators made their way over to their respective chairs as Wendy went out.

~~~

"Are you sure?"

"100%."

Wendy had successfully dragged Crawford to the Ranger Union while the others had gotten into an argument with each other. She led him to the side where Linda was waiting.

"Hey, you brought him in one piece."

"No, we lost some of the hair." The trio giggled as Linda sighed.

"Ready?" Crawford nodded as she grasped his hands.

"Evocation of Knowledge!"

The light drifted up, danced around the male ranger before striking his shoulder blade. The two girls giggled as he yelped slightly. He moved his shirt and jacket to show the symbol.

"Ooh... not a bad pair. Hans and Varian." Crawford blinked.

"I recognize one. Isn't... Janice the daughter of Hans?" Wendy nodded. "Then... I have no idea who Varian is..." Wendy hummed.

"I bet some VKs can tell. Or LKs. Let's split and try to solve this." The other two nodded before separating.